WildEarth (WE), for almost two years broadcasted LIVE Safari Drives from their location in the Djuma Private Game Reserve (top right of the above map) in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa.

1. General Information:

Africa never changes time. Therefore in North America they are 6 hours ahead of our east coast and 9 hours ahead of the west coast.

In posts here you may see 'CAT' by the time of photos etc. This stands for 'Central Africa Time'.

On most days, unless there were 'technical' issues with the vehicle, there were two live game drives; early morning and late afternoon.

They used a 3D camera equipped vehicle (a large Land Rover (referred to as the 'Ganda').

Two of the WE's crew went out on the vehicle for each drive; a 'driver/presenter', and a camera person.

A third crew member remained in Final Control (where the live feed from the camera was streamed to the carrier), and relays questions and information to the driver/presenter.

Drives were also weather dependent; as the batteries and camera were very sensitive to moisture; and at times the area had major rains.

Viewers were encouraged to email questions for the presenter or director that are directly relating to what was being broadcast.

2. Djuma Waterhole Camera:A camera was also mounted on a tree by the Gowrie Dam. The baboons liked to climb the tree and play with the wiring. We had many days without the what we referred to as the 'Dam Cam'. In early 2011 there was major damage to the camera, which could not be repaired. In June 2011 after a long period without the camera a new one was installed and made 'baboon proof'.

In June 2011, Jurie and Pippa stepped in and had the Gowrie Waterhole Cam replaced. They are the cam's 'producer' and are responsible for the maintenance and running of the Djuma Waterhole cam.

Live coverage 24 / 7.

As at Pete's Pond, the camera is operated remotely by a group of volunteers called 'zoomies'.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone associated with WildEarth, Safari.tv and Juri and Pippa Moolman for sharing their corner of beautiful Africa and the wildlife etc. with the world. All images posted in this topic are copyrighted and rights reserved to WildEarth and Safari.tv

On August 15, 2011, the drives resumed under the auspices of Djuma Private Game Reserve. This was undertaken for a three month trial period to determine if they were financially viable. A topic for the drives can be found on this forum at Djuma Game Safaris.

The drives were great while they lasted. Educational and fun. Who knows what may happen down the road

Update: Mar. 11. 2012 / BBE The topics related to the two series of game drives at Djuma Private Game Reserve and the camera at Pete's Pond have been moved to this new location. I have taken the liberty of deleting the information related to the specific times for game drives and the Fireside Chats and other special events which occurred.

« Last Edit: September 15, 2013, 03:33:20 PM by BBE »

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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. (Anonymous)Avatar is of Karula (female leopard). May 1, 2013

EMC, although someone posted what you mentioned, the other vehicle wasn't really between Karula and her kill. Patrick said he thought that someone on the tourists' vehicle may have made a noise or moved at the wrong time.

She snarled first at the jigga, which WE hadn't seen her do before and then she ran toward the other vehicle and made a mock-charge, but stopped short of doing anything more.

One of the boys (Induna) had accidentally just dropped the kill from the tree as we watched. Mixo ran over and got it and then Karula dragged it away and was eating, just before she got irritated.

The boys both had full tummies so it was Mama's turn. She is amazing in how she has them eat first. That is true Mother's love.

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"When one tugs at a single thing in nature; he finds it attached to the rest of the world". ~John Muir

Possibly, EMC. It's hard to know, isn't it?! I am fascinated by being able to see all of this unfold in front of us and to have the presenters talk about what is happening, what it might mean, and all of the other things they tell us. Live cams sure are better than TV!

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Commit random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature; he finds it attached to the rest of the world". ~John Muir

Here are some photos from the first half of the Friday morning Game Drive. The west coast of North America is 10 hours behind Sabi Sands. The morning drive starts at 5:30 am CAT (Central African Time) which is 7:30 pm the evening before here on the west coast. The drive lasts three hours; with a 10 minute 'stretch the leg' break for the presenter and camera person.

This is Patrick who presented on the Thurs. morning and now the Friday morning drive. He has lived in the area most of his life. He is extremely knowledgeable and has the most infectious laugh.

Start of Thurs. morning CAT:

End of Friday morning (CAT)

At 5:40 am CAT it was looking overcast; but the sun is now out.

An Impala one of the many species of antelopes found in the area (some others are the little Steenbok, the Common (Grey) Duiker, Bushbucks and Waterbucks.)

A group of older Cape Buffalos; commonly referred to as 'Dagga Boys'

Then we came across a relatively young hyena pup (some people and references refer to them as 'cubs'). When we first see the pups a few days to a week or so after birth, they are black or dark tan coloured. As they age they become brown and develop their 'spots'. The adults didn't appear to be around; probably off looking for food. They can often be seen at the site of a leopard kill. If the leopard is a tree with a kill; it is not uncommon to see an adult under the tree or nearby - hoping some food drops from the tree; or the entire kill. And if there were other youngsters they were in the den in the termite mound.

More to come of the first half with a beautiful sight.

« Last Edit: February 26, 2011, 10:05:14 PM by BBE »

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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. (Anonymous)Avatar is of Karula (female leopard). May 1, 2013

There are many birds in the area. Kingfishers (including Woodland, Pied, Brown-headed, Hornbills and Woodland) Several varieties of eagles and more.

We had a quick glimpse of a Lilac-breasted Roller (LBR). About 34 cm (14.2 inches from beak to tip of tail)

There are many different Hornbills. Most commonly seen are the red-billed ('Chili-pepper'), yellow-billed ('Flying banana') and this one - a Grey-billed Hornbill. About 43 - 48 cm long (17 - 19 inchs)

And a Woodland Kingfisher - 23 - 24 cm (9 - 9.5 inches)

Patrick had heard from the driver of another vehicle that we might be lucky - and we were. We rounded the corner and there up in a tree was an 'ingwe', Shangaan (local language) for 'leopard'. This one is called 'Induna'. he and his twin brother (Mixo - 'me-shoo')are the sons of the beautiful 'Karula'. And between now and the 22nd will be one year old. We first saw them in Feb. 2009 and Rexon (another chap at WE) said they were about 2 months old.

Not to much so far in the second half - but surprise we have one or more leopards on the wall at Gowrie Dam.

« Last Edit: December 12, 2010, 11:56:20 PM by BBE »

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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. (Anonymous)Avatar is of Karula (female leopard). May 1, 2013